Politics

IBBN Chief Warns Against Vote-Buying, Advocates Stronger Enforcement Measures

Published

21 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Joel Ajayi

FCT Coordinator of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), Dr Emmanuel Afolabihas decried the rising incidence of vote-buying during elections.

He made the observation in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja saying there is need for stiffer penalties against offenders to safeguard the integrity the country’s electoral process.

Afolabi appealed to the government to impose stringent penalties on individuals caught buying or selling votes during elections, stressing that proper enforcement would deter the practice.

“There should be stiff penalties for anyone caught buying or selling votes. If offenders are properly punished, this attitude will stop,” he said.

He explained that IBBN organizes monthly football tournaments as part of its civic engagement strategy, noting that the Kuje Area Council football pitch in Abuja hosted the second edition this year.

Expressing satisfaction with the growing participation and public response to the competition.

According to him, the rising turnout shows that citizens are embracing IBBN’s message of promoting a “new breed without greed” in leadership.

“ The tournament is strategically designed to mobilise citizens and sensitise them on their civic responsibilities ahead of the election period.
“This is the right time for us to start engaging the people so they will understand what is expected of them during the elections,” he said.

The coordinator also announced that the group would hold a major anti–vote-buying programme, inviting journalists, politicians, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other stakeholders.

He emphasised that strict enforcement of electoral laws would restore credibility to country elections and ensure that winners truly emerge through the people’s mandate.

On drug abuse among youths, Afolabi attributed the trend to attempts by some young people to gain artificial confidence, calling for proper orientation and accountability.

Dr. Isaac Chinagorom, a member of IBBN emphasises the importance of unity and youth inclusiveness in governance, urging young Nigerians to actively shape the nation’s future despite declining trust in the system.

He also addressed insecurity, noting that while the FCT remains relatively safe, other regions face serious challenges, and citizens must collaborate with authorities by reporting threats.

Amos James, IBBN Kuje Area Council Coordinator, added that by June this year, it will be two years since their inauguration.

“ Over this period, we have consistently created awareness about credible elections, educating citizens on the dangers of vote-buying and encouraging support for candidates with integrity,” he said.

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News

APC Rising Leaders Fellowship: Marwa, Onyeagba, Shagaya, Ojudu, Abiola to Head 1700 Nationwide Application Review Committee

Published

3 weeks ago

January 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Burundi, HE Elijah Onyeagba; DG Citizen and Leadership Center, Rinsola Abiola; Executive Director, Galaxy Backbone Hon Segun Olulade; Former SSA to President Buhari Mr Wole Aboderin; SSA to the President on Community Engagement Southwest, Moremi Ojudu; ED North Central Development Commission, Princess Atika Ajana; Founder of WFM Toun Okewale Sonaiya; SSA to the President on Entrepreneurship Development Chalya Shagaya are among the 170 chairpersons and members of the shortlist committee to review over 1700 applications received from young Nigerians nationwide for the Rising Progressive Young Leaders Fellowship (RPLF).

The Rising Progressive Leaders Fellowship (RPLF) is a flagship and elite leadership development initiative of the Progressive School of Politics, Leadership and Statecraft (PSPLS) – the human capital development arm of the APC National Youth Wing, purposefully designed to produce the best of the best, a new cadre of high value, governance ready young leaders prepared for public sector leadership and national service.

Other committee chairpersons and members includes Mr Bode Olugbore; Hon Ife Adebayo; Dr Sanusi Ohiare; Mr Kingsley Mordi; Barr Zainab Buba Marwa; Mr Abu Andrew; Engr Prof Abubakar Sadiq Zubair, Hon Ginika Tor and more.

According to the APC National Youth Leader, Dr Dayo Israel, the Fellowship targets exceptional emerging leaders with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to governance today, while being deliberately groomed to shape leadership and statecraft tomorrow. It is structured as a rigorous, immersive, and transformational experience that combines intellectual depth, practical exposure, and elite mentorship to prepare the next generation of progressive leaders for roles across the public sector, political institutions, and policy making spaces.

“RPLF is delivered as a high intensity, cohort based fellowship, featuring a residential component that removes participants from everyday distractions and places them in a focused environment of learning, reflection, collaboration, and leadership formation. This immersive model fosters discipline, peer bonding, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation of the demands of public leadership and service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, the APC Youth Leader, concluded.

Other members of the committee includes: SA to the Vice President Hon Ahmed Ningi; SSA to the President Mrs Abiodun Essiet; Hon Abu Sidiq; Hon Mrs Nana Hauwa; Hajia Jemilah Shuaibu; Sheefah Zarma; Hon Onyeka Nwafor; Maryam Illyasu Gwarzo; Queen Zarah Onyinye; Engr Anjo Obande; Shehu Huseini Kollere; Dr Muhammed Yahaz; Chidinma Makachukwu; Gbenga Saka; Hon Ibrahim Alli Balogun; Mr Muyiwa Adebola; Hon Onyambo; Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi; Segun Tomori; Theresa Tekanah; Abida Rabo; Jason Baba Kwaghe; Lamir Umar Ibrahim; Ochanya Okoh; Zubair Aliyu; Yewande Bisiolu; Gambo Manzo; Martha Agba; Melycent C. Reis; Abdul Haruna Danja; Olumide Olaniyan; Eng Ibrahim; Esther Oyeyinka; Jamilu Yusuf Yola; Saidu Malagi; Lamide Lawal; Mark Hamation; Bashir Ahmad; Kasha Musa Illiya; Ummi Uki Yusuf; Yetunde Gold; Imram Mohammed; Mohammed Tambura and many more.

The Fellowship draws on a distinguished faculty and resource network comprising former governors, former ministers, senior public servants, seasoned legislators, private sector leaders, policy experts, and thought leaders. Fellows benefit from direct interaction with serving and former senior government officials across both the legislative and executive arms of government, providing rare insight into real-world governance, policy negotiation, political leadership, and institutional decision making.

The committee is broken down into a 17 set of 10 man committee to review 100 applications each and shortlist to 350 which would proceed to the next stage of physical interviews to be conducted by former Governors of the party, agency heads and other senior leaders.

Beyond classroom instruction, the Fellowship emphasizes experiential learning, leadership simulations, policy labs, fireside conversations, and high level engagements that expose fellows to the realities of power, responsibility, and service. Participants are challenged intellectually, ethically, and practically ensuring that the Fellowship experience is not only instructive but life transforming.

The application review process will commence on Wednesday, January 27, 2026, while further updates on the review exercise and final selection process will be communicated in due course.

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